Marlena Medford
@marlenamedford.bsky.social
#Civictech evangelist. Former journalist & public servant. Leading comms and partnerships at @civicfutures. Views are mine.
Reposted by Marlena Medford
If you’re with a state agency or legislature who needs help figuring out how you’re going to modify your benefits systems to deal with federally mandated changes (e.g. employment verification), contact us at @usdigitalresponse.org. We can help for free, thanks to grant funding. There’s no catch.
Contact Us - U.S. Digital Response
Reach out to us with requests for government support, volunteer sign-ups, funding proposals, media inquiries, and more.
www.usdigitalresponse.org
July 3, 2025 at 7:49 PM
If you’re with a state agency or legislature who needs help figuring out how you’re going to modify your benefits systems to deal with federally mandated changes (e.g. employment verification), contact us at @usdigitalresponse.org. We can help for free, thanks to grant funding. There’s no catch.
Reposted by Marlena Medford
Join our Civilla Chats on Friday, June 20, with our CEO @thejuliadale.bsky.social and Tina J. Walha, CEO of @usdigitalresponse.org, as they discuss leading through change and fresh perspectives on driving innovation when public service needs to evolve fast.
Register here ➡️ lnkd.in/gxPcyApA
Register here ➡️ lnkd.in/gxPcyApA
June 17, 2025 at 4:27 PM
Join our Civilla Chats on Friday, June 20, with our CEO @thejuliadale.bsky.social and Tina J. Walha, CEO of @usdigitalresponse.org, as they discuss leading through change and fresh perspectives on driving innovation when public service needs to evolve fast.
Register here ➡️ lnkd.in/gxPcyApA
Register here ➡️ lnkd.in/gxPcyApA
Reposted by Marlena Medford
File your taxes using IRS Direct File, a free, secure, accurate and accessible product from the IRS. It is available in 25 states and allows you to import your tax information, like your W-2, directly from the IRS.
Visit DirectFile.irs.gov to check eligibility and learn more.
Visit DirectFile.irs.gov to check eligibility and learn more.
DirectFile.irs.gov
April 1, 2025 at 5:01 PM
File your taxes using IRS Direct File, a free, secure, accurate and accessible product from the IRS. It is available in 25 states and allows you to import your tax information, like your W-2, directly from the IRS.
Visit DirectFile.irs.gov to check eligibility and learn more.
Visit DirectFile.irs.gov to check eligibility and learn more.
Reposted by Marlena Medford
🙋We do! In 2023, 2.8% of veterans — around 241,000 people — were unemployed, according to the BLS.
The veteran population had a lower unemployment rate than non-veterans (3.6%).
In 2023, nearly 1 in 5 full-time federal employees worked for the VA — 433,700 out of 2.3 million.
The veteran population had a lower unemployment rate than non-veterans (3.6%).
In 2023, nearly 1 in 5 full-time federal employees worked for the VA — 433,700 out of 2.3 million.
March 31, 2025 at 4:06 PM
🙋We do! In 2023, 2.8% of veterans — around 241,000 people — were unemployed, according to the BLS.
The veteran population had a lower unemployment rate than non-veterans (3.6%).
In 2023, nearly 1 in 5 full-time federal employees worked for the VA — 433,700 out of 2.3 million.
The veteran population had a lower unemployment rate than non-veterans (3.6%).
In 2023, nearly 1 in 5 full-time federal employees worked for the VA — 433,700 out of 2.3 million.
Reposted by Marlena Medford
Do you know your way around modern tech development, data system design and modelling, love working with folks in government to make technology really work for the communities we serve?
We're hiring an Impact Officer aka Digital Services Officer!
www.linkedin.com/posts/steves...
We're hiring an Impact Officer aka Digital Services Officer!
www.linkedin.com/posts/steves...
Steve Spiker on LinkedIn: Impact Officer
I'm really excited about this new position- we're hiring for an Impact Officer aka Digital Services Officer. This role will be working closely with me as a…
www.linkedin.com
March 4, 2025 at 7:23 PM
Do you know your way around modern tech development, data system design and modelling, love working with folks in government to make technology really work for the communities we serve?
We're hiring an Impact Officer aka Digital Services Officer!
www.linkedin.com/posts/steves...
We're hiring an Impact Officer aka Digital Services Officer!
www.linkedin.com/posts/steves...
Reposted by Marlena Medford
The project leader of Hawaii’s emergency decision support system was nice enough to talk to me last month. It's one of many useful projects funded by FEMA, led by a state or local government, that helps mitigate threats to communities: statescoop.com/hawaii-fema-...
Hawaii's emergency decision support system was funded by FEMA | StateScoop
Staff at the Hawaii State Energy Office said that a critical decision-making tool that helps the state respond to and plan for emergencies may not have happened without federal support.
statescoop.com
March 4, 2025 at 12:33 AM
The project leader of Hawaii’s emergency decision support system was nice enough to talk to me last month. It's one of many useful projects funded by FEMA, led by a state or local government, that helps mitigate threats to communities: statescoop.com/hawaii-fema-...
Reposted by Marlena Medford
State governments are largely responding to the uncertainty and chaos in Washington by entering "wait and see" mode. Two former government officials had some advice as states prepare for what may come next: statescoop.com/state-local-...
February 13, 2025 at 4:23 PM
State governments are largely responding to the uncertainty and chaos in Washington by entering "wait and see" mode. Two former government officials had some advice as states prepare for what may come next: statescoop.com/state-local-...
Reposted by Marlena Medford
How Trump and DOGE will affect state and local services youtu.be/bnmqyXr6yWQ?...
How Trump and DOGE will affect state and local services
YouTube video by StateScoop
youtu.be
February 13, 2025 at 12:30 AM
How Trump and DOGE will affect state and local services youtu.be/bnmqyXr6yWQ?...
Reposted by Marlena Medford
Hello week 2 of tax filing season! 💥
Direct File is live and you can now import your tax information directly from the IRS.
Visit DirectFile.irs.gov to check eligibility and learn more. 👏
Direct File is live and you can now import your tax information directly from the IRS.
Visit DirectFile.irs.gov to check eligibility and learn more. 👏
February 3, 2025 at 11:05 PM
Hello week 2 of tax filing season! 💥
Direct File is live and you can now import your tax information directly from the IRS.
Visit DirectFile.irs.gov to check eligibility and learn more. 👏
Direct File is live and you can now import your tax information directly from the IRS.
Visit DirectFile.irs.gov to check eligibility and learn more. 👏
Reposted by Marlena Medford
With the announcement that federal financial assistance will pause as of 5pm ET today, we confirm our commitment to supporting government partners. Read CEO Amanda Renteria’s post about how our organization remains committed to making government work well for everyone.
Families across the country are holding their breath. Trump admin’s “temporary pause” on fed financial assistance raises uncertainty for millions of Americans. We are closely tracking and remain steadfast in our mission to ensure communities have the support they need when they need it most.
January 28, 2025 at 8:32 PM
With the announcement that federal financial assistance will pause as of 5pm ET today, we confirm our commitment to supporting government partners. Read CEO Amanda Renteria’s post about how our organization remains committed to making government work well for everyone.
Reposted by Marlena Medford
Calling data/policy geeks in the early child care and education space- we're hiring for a Kindergarten Readiness Officer to spearhead the deployment of the EDI instrument for the whole county! This is a pivotal role to help us collect data to inform policy making to support children in Alameda Co.
January 28, 2025 at 12:22 AM
Calling data/policy geeks in the early child care and education space- we're hiring for a Kindergarten Readiness Officer to spearhead the deployment of the EDI instrument for the whole county! This is a pivotal role to help us collect data to inform policy making to support children in Alameda Co.
Reposted by Marlena Medford
InnovateUS is hosting two workshops this week! Join us today at 2:00 PM for "Scaling AI: Utah’s Journey from Pilot to Implementation," and Jan 16 at 2:00 PM ET for "Better Government for All: Introduction to Entity Resolution with AI." Register: innovate-us.org/workshops
@innovateus.bsky.social
@innovateus.bsky.social
January 14, 2025 at 4:33 PM
InnovateUS is hosting two workshops this week! Join us today at 2:00 PM for "Scaling AI: Utah’s Journey from Pilot to Implementation," and Jan 16 at 2:00 PM ET for "Better Government for All: Introduction to Entity Resolution with AI." Register: innovate-us.org/workshops
@innovateus.bsky.social
@innovateus.bsky.social
Surprised there’s not more buzz about this: we’re finally getting prepopulated tax returns! Such a win 🏆 www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
IRS’s Direct File to let users import W-2 forms, other data
The tax agency will start accepting 2024 tax returns on Jan. 27 and expand the Direct File system for free tax filing to more states.
www.washingtonpost.com
January 14, 2025 at 2:14 AM
Surprised there’s not more buzz about this: we’re finally getting prepopulated tax returns! Such a win 🏆 www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
About $2.4 billion in unclaimed tax credits are *proactively* being sent to their rightful owners www.nytimes.com/2024/12/23/b...
Who Qualifies for IRS Payments of Up to $1,400 in Unclaimed Stimulus Credit?
Some Americans who qualified for a pandemic-era tax credit but did not claim it will get up to $1,400 in their account within the next month.
www.nytimes.com
December 24, 2024 at 1:56 AM
About $2.4 billion in unclaimed tax credits are *proactively* being sent to their rightful owners www.nytimes.com/2024/12/23/b...
Reposted by Marlena Medford
Today VA released our 2024 inventory of the 227 Artificial Intelligence use cases VA is using or implementing to improve outcomes for Veterans, staff experience, and operational efficiency. Some highlights in this 🧵
December 16, 2024 at 11:00 PM
Today VA released our 2024 inventory of the 227 Artificial Intelligence use cases VA is using or implementing to improve outcomes for Veterans, staff experience, and operational efficiency. Some highlights in this 🧵
TechFAR, but make it Fresh Air 😂 As an audio learner, I’m loving these podcast-style deep dives into FedRAMP, the NIST Cybersecurity Framework, TechFAR, and Zero Trust—all made using Google NotebookLM’s deep dive feature. govfresh.com/thoughts/usi... #civictech
Using AI to build a personal government technology podcast
I created podcast-like overviews of FedRAMP, NIST Cybersecurity Framework, TechFAR and Zero Trust with Google NotebookLM's deep dive feature.
govfresh.com
December 1, 2024 at 11:16 PM
TechFAR, but make it Fresh Air 😂 As an audio learner, I’m loving these podcast-style deep dives into FedRAMP, the NIST Cybersecurity Framework, TechFAR, and Zero Trust—all made using Google NotebookLM’s deep dive feature. govfresh.com/thoughts/usi... #civictech
Just discovered CPSAI does a nice weekly round-up of #civictech news: www.cpsai.org/pages/media/...
CPSAI
The Center is a non-profit organization that aligns government leaders and partners to minimize the potential risks associated with Al while maximizing the transformative opportunities it presents.
www.cpsai.org
November 23, 2024 at 11:24 PM
Just discovered CPSAI does a nice weekly round-up of #civictech news: www.cpsai.org/pages/media/...
Reposted by Marlena Medford
A periodic reminder that you can check your state's unclaimed funds pages to get access to $$ that is owed to you.
unclaimed.org
unclaimed.org
National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators (NAUPA) – The leading, trusted authority in unclaimed property
unclaimed.org
November 22, 2024 at 12:12 AM
A periodic reminder that you can check your state's unclaimed funds pages to get access to $$ that is owed to you.
unclaimed.org
unclaimed.org
Normalize bars in bookstores.
November 22, 2024 at 11:07 PM
Normalize bars in bookstores.
Reposted by Marlena Medford
Excited to dive into this more, but #Instacart providing a #SNAP screener could help drive eligible people to apply for SNAP. #FoodSecurity www.instacart.com/company/pres...
Instacart Becomes the First Online Grocery Platform to Launch a SNAP Eligibility Screener to Educate Consumers and Streamline Access to Benefits Nationwide
New tool designed to help reduce barriers to access, expands the SNAP resources available on Instacart SAN FRANCISCO – November 21, 2024 – Instacart
www.instacart.com
November 21, 2024 at 7:58 PM
Excited to dive into this more, but #Instacart providing a #SNAP screener could help drive eligible people to apply for SNAP. #FoodSecurity www.instacart.com/company/pres...
Reposted by Marlena Medford
I've been experimenting w/@anthropic.com.web.brid.gy's Computer Use. An agent can move/click a mouse around a browser. The agent often has trouble using a website (#Geoguessr) & I wanted agent instructions for websites & wondered if there is an overlap w/ADA accessibility www.ada.gov/resources/we...
Guidance on Web Accessibility and the ADA
Guidance on how state and local governments and businesses open to the public can make sure their websites are in line with the ADA’s requirements.
www.ada.gov
November 20, 2024 at 4:59 PM
I've been experimenting w/@anthropic.com.web.brid.gy's Computer Use. An agent can move/click a mouse around a browser. The agent often has trouble using a website (#Geoguessr) & I wanted agent instructions for websites & wondered if there is an overlap w/ADA accessibility www.ada.gov/resources/we...
Reposted by Marlena Medford
I had a Twitter list that I pointed people towards in my "breaking into civic tech guide" for a long time—finally updating and replacing with a link to Cyd's civic tech starter pack!
www.chriskuang.com/civictech
www.chriskuang.com/civictech
November 20, 2024 at 4:28 AM
I had a Twitter list that I pointed people towards in my "breaking into civic tech guide" for a long time—finally updating and replacing with a link to Cyd's civic tech starter pack!
www.chriskuang.com/civictech
www.chriskuang.com/civictech
Reposted by Marlena Medford
The Model for Responsible Innovation - “… a practical tool created by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology’s Responsible Technology Adoption Unit to help teams across the #PublicSector and beyond to innovate responsibly with #Data and ✨ #AI.”
www.gov.uk/government/p...
www.gov.uk/government/p...
The Model for Responsible Innovation
www.gov.uk
November 19, 2024 at 11:59 PM
The Model for Responsible Innovation - “… a practical tool created by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology’s Responsible Technology Adoption Unit to help teams across the #PublicSector and beyond to innovate responsibly with #Data and ✨ #AI.”
www.gov.uk/government/p...
www.gov.uk/government/p...
This must be the place. Here to connect with folks who remind me why I love #civictech. Memes, pet pics, and hot takes welcome, too.
November 18, 2024 at 5:46 PM
This must be the place. Here to connect with folks who remind me why I love #civictech. Memes, pet pics, and hot takes welcome, too.
Reposted by Marlena Medford
Cutting government spending has consequences. In New York City Adams’s budget cuts have fueled fires in the parks. hellgatenyc.com/parks-budget...
Eric Adams's Budget Cuts Have Set Up New York City's Parks to Burn
By cutting the exact people meant to keep the city's parks free from fallen, dead trees and keep the forests healthy, the mayor has set up a tinderbox that's already igniting.
hellgatenyc.com
November 16, 2024 at 1:30 PM
Cutting government spending has consequences. In New York City Adams’s budget cuts have fueled fires in the parks. hellgatenyc.com/parks-budget...